1. Technology and the Research Process
Introduction
The research process
Talk About It
Your Turn
Tech Tools in this presentation
Search Engines
Online Databases
Google Notebook
Podcasts

2. I have to write a research paper. Where do I even begin?
Introduction
I have to write a research paper. Where do I even begin?
You may have felt like Terri before, but research projects aren’t really that tough if you know the research process.

3. Introduction
Research means finding information. The research process is a set of steps that help you look for and use information about a topic that you choose.
In this presentation, you will
discover the steps of the research process
learn about some technology tools that can help with your research

4. The research process
The first step of the research process is to choose and focus your subject. Think about subjects that really interest you or about which you are curious.
the Great Wall of China?
the Eiffel Tower?
the Egyptian pyramids?

5. The research process
Next, narrow your subject to one focused topic that you can cover well.
Egyptian pyramids
construction of the Egyptian pyramids

6. The research process
Ask yourself some important questions before you begin to research your topic.
What is my purpose for doing this research? What am I trying to learn?
Who is my audience? What will they want to know about my topic?
The answers to these questions will help you stay on track as you continue through your research process.

7. The research process
Next, figure out what you need to know. You might try the 5 W-How questions:
Who built the pyramids?
What did the people use to lift the heavy stones?
When were the pyramids built?
Where did the stones for the pyramids come from?
Why were the pyramids built?
How did the builders make the sides so straight?
Remember to stay focused on your topic.
construction of the Egyptian pyramids

8. The research process
Now it’s time to begin your research. Where should
you look for information about your topic?
To find sources of information, you can
go to the library
talk to experts on your topic
search on the Internet

9. The research process
Internet search engines and online databases can help you locate many different types of sources, including:
books
magazine articles
blogs by experts
DVDs
Web pages
video clips
collections of images
audio clips

10. Tech Tool: Search Engines
Search engines help you find your way around the massive amount of information stored on the Internet.
(Yahoo! Kids) Reproduced with permission of Yahoo! Inc. ©2008 by Yahoo! and the Yahoo! logo are trademarks of Yahoo! Inc.

11. Tech Tool: Online Databases
Another way to look for answers is by using online databases.
Online databases are collections of information that you can’t always find by using a search engine.

12. What is the research process?
It’s very important to keep track of where you get your information, so be sure to make a list of the sources you find.
To make your note taking easier, give each source you use a number.
Sources
1 Morrison, Dan. “Great Pyramid Built Inside Out, French Architect Says.” National Geographic News. 02 April July 2007
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13. The research process
You’ll need to make notes of the most important information about your topic.
1 Ramp theory
Jean-Pierre Houdin, a French architect, believes that the Egyptians built the Great Pyramid of Giza by constructing a ramp that wound around the outside of the lower part of the structure and then used an internal ramp to complete the higher sections.
Match the information in your notes with the number of the source in which you found it.

14. Tech Tool: Google Notebook
One tool that might help you with note taking is Google Notebook. This tool allows you to copy and paste information from the Internet right into your Google Notebook just by clicking it. You can also type in your own notes.

15. What is the research process?
You’ll also need to organize the information you’ve found and write a main idea statement.
Your main idea statement expresses the one big idea that you want your readers—or viewers or listeners—to understand about your topic.
Without the help of modern machinery, Egyptians used huge blocks of stone to build amazing pyramids as burial sites for the pharaohs.

16. The research process
It’s time to write! Create a draft of your research project based on your notes and your organizational plan.
Then evaluate and revise your draft, paying attention to
the quantity and quality of your information
the organization of your information
the use of correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation

17. The research process Finally, publish your research in a form that is
appropriate for your purpose and your audience.
Here are just a few forms you might create:
a written report
a multimedia presentation
a Web page
a video

18. Tech Tool: Podcast
Another popular way to publish your work is as a podcast.
A podcast is an audio file that is recorded and posted to the Internet. Listeners can download these files for free from online services.

19. Research project on the Egyptian pyramids?
The research process
Research project on the Egyptian pyramids?
No problem!
Terri is now ready to get to work on her assignment. Learning about the research process has made her task much more manageable.

20. Talk About It Discuss these questions with your classmates.
Have you used any of these technology tools before?
search engines
online databases
Google Notebook
podcasts
If so, how did you use them?
How might these technology tools make research easier for you?

21. Your Turn
The purpose of a research project is to find information and share it with others. Use a piece of paper or a computer to complete the following three steps.
Think of an interesting research topic and write or type it at the top of your page.
List three possible sources that you might use to locate information on your topic.
3. Write three ways you could share the information you find with others.

22. Your Turn An interesting research topic would be:
Possible resources I could use to find information are:
I could share my information by:

23. The End